Los Angeles seen from the hills, with the city skyline in the distance. Flights from Houston to Los Angeles

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Houston to Los Angeles

Search Hobby to LAX for Houston to Los Angeles, with bus links to Hobby, LAX terminal assignments and how to reach Metro trains after you land in Los Angeles.

HOU to LAX · 1,387 mi · 3h 33m est.

HOU to LAX
1,387 miles
3h 33m nonstop (estimated)
7 airlines in our fare results

Photo: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Houston to Los Angeles flight insights

Average flight time

~3h 33m (estimated)

HOU → LAX

Cheapest cached price

$149

Checking live fares…

Last checked Oct 19, 2026

Planning a trip from Houston to Los Angeles? The average flight time on this route is ~3h 33m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $149 (last checked Oct 19, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Houston to Los Angeles covers a straight-line distance of about 1,387 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~3h 33m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

Houston to Los Angeles at a glance

HOU to LAX is about 1,387 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from Houston to Los Angeles on Eazair
Origin	Houston (HOU)
Destination	Los Angeles (LAX)
Average Flight Time	~3h 33m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$149
Fares Last Checked	Oct 19, 2026
Distance	1,387 miles (HOU to LAX)
Time in Los Angeles	2 hours behind Houston
Airlines in our fare results	7

Local time in Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Houston. Houston is on Central Time, Los Angeles on Pacific Time.

Flight deals from Houston to Los Angeles

EazAir searches this route from Houston William P. Hobby (HOU) to Los Angeles International (LAX). JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, United, American and Alaska have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. Once at LAX, Southwest and JetBlue are in Terminal 1, American in Terminal 4, Alaska in Terminal 6 and United in Terminals 7 and 8, while Delta checks in at Terminal 3. Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario International (ONT) and John Wayne (SNA) are separate airports, so check every result's code.

Every airline at Hobby works from one main building. Southwest checks in on the west side and the rest on the east side, with ticket counters on Level 2. By bus, METRO Route 500 Downtown Direct runs from the George R. Brown Convention Center about every 30 minutes, and local routes 40, 50, 73 and 88 stop at the Hobby Transit Center. Hobby lists CLEAR from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Friday and 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Landing at LAX, look for the free shuttle that links every terminal with the LAX/Metro Transit Center, using Bus Bays 1 and 2, where Metro C and K Line trains stop. LA Metro says bus lines 102, 111, 117, 120 and 232 also serve the transit center. Terminal 5 closed for rebuilding in October 2025, and LAWA has warned of detours and longer shuttle times around the Tom Bradley International Terminal, Terminal 4 and the future Terminal 5.

So far EazAir holds one fare check for Houston to Los Angeles, made on 5 Oct 2026 for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days later. One check cannot show a pattern. Alaska Saver, JetBlue Main Base, Delta Main Basic, American Basic Economy and Southwest Basic each include a carry-on, while United Basic Economy is limited to a personal item on domestic flights. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for Houston to Los Angeles flights

Departure · Houston

William P. Hobby (HOU)

Central Time

Other airports near Houston: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

Arrival · Los Angeles

Los Angeles International (LAX)

Pacific Time

Other airports near Los Angeles: Long Beach (LGB), John Wayne (SNA), Ontario International (ONT), Hollywood Burbank (BUR)

About Los Angeles

Areas to know in Los Angeles

Santa Monica
Downtown LA
Silver Lake

Weather in Los Angeles

A Mediterranean climate: mild and generally dry year-round, with slightly cooler, wetter weather in the winter months.

Houston to Los Angeles: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

EazAir searches Houston with the HOU code, and Houston has more than one airport, so check the airport code on every result.

Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario International (ONT) and John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) are separate Southern California airports, so check the airport code on every result.

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is a separate airport. Hobby says it is about 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston, and METRO Route 500 serves both airports from downtown.

Leaving from Houston William P. Hobby (HOU)

Airline	HOU check-in
Southwest	West side of the terminal, Level 2
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

METRO Route 500 Downtown Direct runs nonstop from the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown to Hobby. METRO local routes 40, 50, 73 and 88 also stop at the Hobby Transit Center.
Ticket counters are on Level 2. Southwest checks in on the west side of the terminal and all other airlines on the east side. HOU lists taxi drop-off on the Departures Level.
HOU lists its Main Terminal Security Checkpoint from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with TSA PreCheck from 3:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., and says these times may change.
The central checkpoint serves both concourses. HOU says that where there is no dedicated TSA PreCheck lane, PreCheck travelers are still expedited through available lanes.
HOU lists CLEAR from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Friday and from 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Checkpoint wait times are posted on HOU's security page.
HOU asks travelers to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.

Arriving at Los Angeles International (LAX)

Airline	LAX terminal
Southwest	Terminal 1
JetBlue	Terminal 1
Delta	Check-in at Terminal 3; gates in Terminal 3 or Terminal 2
American	Terminal 4
Alaska	Terminal 6
United	Terminals 7 and 8
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

LAX's airline location map is dated 1 Jul 2026. Terminal 5 closed for rebuilding in October 2025, when JetBlue moved to Terminal 1 and American to Terminal 4.

Terminal 5 closed for rebuilding in October 2025. LAWA expects the new Terminal 5 just before the 2028 Olympics.
Taxis and ride apps pick up at LAX-it, a lot next to Terminal 1, reached on foot or by a free shuttle from outside baggage claim on the first level of each terminal.
The SkyLink people mover is not open yet. LAX says it is in final testing and gives no opening date.
LAWA warned in July 2026 of detours and longer shuttle times from work at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B), Terminal 4 and the future Terminal 5.

Getting from LAX	Where to board	Where it goes
LAX-it (taxis and rideshare)	A pickup lot next to Terminal 1. Walk there along the signed path, or take the free LAX-it shuttle from outside baggage claim on the first level of each terminal, at the green LAX-it bus stop signs. LAX says it runs 24 hours.	Wherever you booked.
SkyLink people mover	Not open yet. LAX says it is in final testing and gives no opening date. When it opens, LAX says it will be free and run 24 hours.	Not running yet.
Metro C and K Lines	A free shuttle links every terminal with the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where it uses Bus Bays 1 and 2.	The Metro rail network.
FlyAway bus	Blue FlyAway columns on the Lower/Arrivals level in front of each terminal, 7 days a week.	Union Station and Van Nuys.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.
Southwest Basic	Southwest's policy allows one carry-on and one personal item.	Checked bag fees apply to Basic fares.	A free Standard seat is assigned at check-in. Preferred and Extra Legroom seats cost extra.	Only by upgrading to a Choice fare or higher. Cancelling at least 10 minutes before departure gives a flight credit, which for Basic expires 6 months from booking.
JetBlue Main Base (bookings made after 29 Jul 2026)	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included.	Costs extra.	Change fee plus any fare difference. Cancelling gives travel credit minus a fee.
Alaska Saver	Included, plus a personal item.	Same allowance as Alaska's Main fare.	Assigned at check-in or at the gate. Parties are not guaranteed to sit together.	No changes except eligible same-day changes for a fee. Cancelling within 24 hours of booking follows Alaska's 24-hour policy; cancelling at least 14 days before departure gives a 50 percent credit.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first fare check from Houston to Los Angeles was on 5 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. One check cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

Houston Airports: HOU tips for first-time travelers (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: HOU METRO Downtown Direct (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: HOU taxis and ride apps (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: HOU security (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Houston Airports: HOU TSA screening hours (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
METRO: William P. Hobby Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
METRO: Airport bus nonstop (Route 500) (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Hollywood Burbank Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Long Beach Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Ontario International Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
John Wayne Airport, Orange County (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Airline list (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Airline location map (as of 1 Jul 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAWA: Terminal 5 closure (20 Oct 2025, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Terminal 1 (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Los Angeles airport map (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: LAX-it (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: SkyLink (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Traffic and ground transportation (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: FlyAway bus (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAWA: Summer travel tips (1 Jul 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LA Metro: LAX (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Assigned seating (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Carry-on baggage policy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare types and benefits (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JetBlue: Fare options (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Alaska Airlines: Saver fare (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for HOU to LAX, 5 Oct 2026 to 5 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does this page search Hobby or Bush Intercontinental for Los Angeles flights?

Hobby (HOU). Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is a separate airport, and METRO Route 500 serves both from downtown Houston, so check which code each result shows.

Which LAX terminal do Alaska and United use?

LAX lists Alaska at Terminal 6 and United at Terminals 7 and 8. Its airline location map is dated 1 Jul 2026, so confirm on your boarding pass.

How do I reach the Metro trains from LAX?

Take the free shuttle from your terminal to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where it uses Bus Bays 1 and 2. Metro C and K Line trains stop there.

Where do ride apps pick up at LAX?

At LAX-it, a lot next to Terminal 1. Walk there on the signed path or take the free LAX-it shuttle from the green stops outside baggage claim.

Which lowest fares from Houston to Los Angeles include a carry-on?

Alaska Saver, JetBlue Main Base, Delta Main Basic, American Basic Economy and Southwest Basic include a carry-on plus a personal item. United Basic Economy includes only a personal item on domestic flights, with exceptions for some MileagePlus members and cardholders.

How far is Houston from Los Angeles?

HOU and LAX are about 1387 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Ease jet lag on longer routes

On longer cross-country flights, adjusting your sleep schedule a day or two before departure and staying hydrated in flight can reduce jet lag on arrival.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.